Nichiren Shoshu priest resigned

Masanobu Nagaei, chief priest of Kaido-ji temple in Rumoi, Hokkaido, resigned because he lost his patience with a senior priest's guidance. On August 31st, 2006, Nichiren Shoshu General Administrator Shin'ei Yagi, Hokkaido Parish Director Sugi, and Hokkeko Chairman Kisoji Yanagisawa all visited Nagaei and questioned him about the situation at his temple. This was part of their guidance tour to 60 temples, all of which had had poor shakubuku results. For about two hours, Nagaei was questioned about his personal habits such as what time he wakes up, when he does gongyo, how often does he clean the temple, how often he visit temple members, what time he goes to bed, does he drink alcoholic beverages, etc. During the interview, Nagaei got into a quarrel with the koto (lay leader) of Kaido-ji over the responsibility for the temple's poor results. Nagaei must have felt publically humiliated and he got angry. Nagaei then complained about Parish Director Sugi, who had asked him for more help. Sugi responded that "it is your fault." Thus, Nagaei ran into a brick wall, and later submitted his resignation, which was accepted by Nichiren Shoshu head temple.

(Excerpted and translated based on the Domei Tsushin, #116, dated October 18, 2006)